Reserves - now the Fonz debate

[Bosco81]

We don't play 4-5-1, we play 4-4-1-1 as Young/Ireland give us nothing defensively, so I don't see a problem playing Fonz up with Gabby if needed.

I could imagine at half time GH saying "we need more off you Nathan", and 2nd half he scored, had a goal disallowed, and a decent shout for a pen, and then he gets taken off, strange decision, even though I understand Gabby needed some time on the pitch.

Ashley looked like he had a bit of a strop when Ireland told him to go and play out wide, as he was having a great game playing off the front man.

[Concrete John]

Just thinking of ways to play Gabby and Fonz together and playing other formations to 4-4-2 doesnt mean they couldn't.

Where they to play together in a 4-4-2 I'd like to see Gabby running the channels and stretching the opposition defence, with Nathan staying central to use his superior finishing to take advantage of that. 

[pablopicasso_10]

However, I don't see the Fonz in that 'link' role.  Although it may develop further, I don't think his all round game is good enough for that.  For me he's more of a 'shoulder of the last defender' type, similar to a young Lineker or Owen.

that is exactly his role... he likes to drop deep and pick up the ball, run with it, pull out to the wide areas, etc... i dont think he is a linekar owen, poacher type, although he does like to get into the box...

what i like about him, is that he does have a lot to his game, but most importantly, and it hasnt been shown while he has played the lone role in the past couple of games, is his intelligent movement that makes him unpredictable... he could be deep, he could be out on the wing, he could be in the box, he could be anywhere...

coupled with the pace, strength, hold up play and lay offs from agbonlahor, its an interesting potential partnership...

[Mazrim]

- They're both very, very quick, Gabby slightly more so at full stretch although Fonz is probably quicker over short distances, more explosive, believe it or not.
- Gabby is very strong, I think Fonz will be.
- Fonz is tall enough to be presence in the air.
- Gabby is direct but can also hold it up well and rarely gives the ball away. Fonz can be direct but can also link up well and has more understanding and sharpness of thought.
- They're both local lads with club in their hearts.
- They're both very young with ages ahead of them.

I think they can form a really promising partnership and could compliment each other. They can also cover for eachother in the squad. I think add a bruising forward to replace Carew and eventually Heskey and a silky creative striker as a different option, plus Weimann when he comes back who is also very very promising and we'll be well set up front.

[Dribbler]

Nice goal from the Fonz last night and it should have been two. For the allowed goal there were several things that stood out, he was offside and moved back onside when he saw Ash on the ball, his first touch was excellent and made the space to run in to to get away from the defenders and his finish was composed. The goal last night will give him some confidence and hopefully he will get a few more for us in the next few games. Definitely an exciting prospect.

[Mazrim]

For anybody who may not have watched Fonz much in recent years, that goal was absolutely typical of him. He will also suprise people with how much of an all round talent he is if he gets the chance for a sustained run of games, which I hope will happen.

[fredm]

We don't play 4-5-1, we play 4-4-1-1 as Young/Ireland give us nothing defensively, so I don't see a problem playing Fonz up with Gabby if needed.

I could imagine at half time GH saying "we need more off you Nathan", and 2nd half he scored, had a goal disallowed, and a decent shout for a pen, and then he gets taken off, strange decision, even though I understand Gabby needed some time on the pitch.

Ashley looked like he had a bit of a strop when Ireland told him to go and play out wide, as he was having a great game playing off the front man.

Except the problem with playing Ash off the front man is that he does not score any goals.  How many has he scored in PL games this season from that position? 

[Bosco81]

Except the problem with playing Ash off the front man is that he does not score any goals.  How many has he scored in PL games this season from that position? 

I'm with you on that one, he does need to be getting 12-15 goals if he's going to play that position, which is why I'd consider playing Fonz up with Gabby, as you could always drop Nathan a bit deeper, but then you have to have one of Downing, Young or Albrighton on the bench.

[Concrete John]

I'd consider playing Fonz up with Gabby, as you could always drop Nathan a bit deeper, but then you have to have one of Downing, Young or Albrighton on the bench.

That is a problem as although Ash isn't scoring many as you mention, all three are in good form and their interchanging of positions gives a good fluidity to our attack.

[Bosco81]

Blimey, a selection headache, Houllier's not had many of those.

You could play Downing in the centre but then we'd struggle without the ball, and Bannan deserves to keep his place. I feel sorry for Bannan that he gets his chance when Petrov and NRC aren't there to help him out.

The way Houllier took the Fonz off suggests to me he is still not convinced by him, and at 19 he still has a long way to go to hold down a place week in week out, talented as he is.

[pedro25]

He's not quick enough or strong enough for me and needs greater awareness.

[pablopicasso_10]

what do you want, road runner?

[Concrete John]

I feel sorry for Bannan that he gets his chance when Petrov and NRC aren't there to help him out.

You say that, but I think he's doing well enough without them so far!

Back to the Fonz, I do think he's not quite there yet and needs to develop further.  The question really is should we be letting him do that development in our first team?  Not much choice right now, but once Gabby is fully back we can rotate him in and out and basically let him mature at a more natural pace.

[Concrete John]

what do you want, road runner?

Too easy to defend against if you use the 'ACME Rocket' formation.

[KevinGage]

Took his goal very well. Almost Torres-like.  In keeping with the few run-outs he's had  with the first team, he doesn't  look like he's doing much and then he crops up with a goal.

Useful habit to have. You can either get concerned with the former or be happy with the latter. For the moment I'll opt for the latter and trust Maz that there is more re: his allround game to come.

I do think he suffers from the fact that he's been in and around the first team now for two years, since the age of 17 (!)  There is a tendency for some to think if he's been involved but hasn't made a starting place his own he's not up to it.

I think by the age of 21/22 we'll have a far better idea of that. He's still only a baby at present, he might  benefit from a loan stint out at a Championship side against defenders who will be only to happy to rough him up. Rather than the testimonial pace of most reserve matches.